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Fedha, Kuwait’s first newscaster produced using artificial intelligence or AI. Photo/Twitter @KuwaitNews
KUWAIT CITY – Kuwaiti media outlet has launched a virtual newscaster generated using artificial intelligence (AI) or artificial intelligence, with plans to read online newsletters.
The first non-human broadcaster in Kuwait is named Fedha. She appeared on the Twitter account of the Kuwait News website on Saturday (8/4/2023) as an image of a woman, whose light-colored hair was uncovered, wearing a black jacket and white T-shirt.
“I’m Fedha, the first presenter in Kuwait who works with artificial intelligence at Kuwait News. What kind of news do you like? Let’s hear your opinion,” he said in classical Arabic.
The site is affiliated with the Kuwait Times, founded in 1961 as the Gulf region’s first English-language daily.
Abdullah Boftain, deputy editor-in-chief for both outlets, said the move was a test of AI’s potential to offer “new and innovative content”.
In the future, Boftain said, Fedha could adopt a Kuwaiti accent and serve news bulletins on the site’s Twitter account, which has 1.2 million followers.
“Fedha is a popular old Kuwaiti name that refers to silver, a metal. We always envisioned robots being silver and metallic, so we combined the two,” Boftain said.
According to him, the presenter’s blonde hair and light-colored eyes reflect the oil-rich nation’s diverse Kuwaiti and expatriate population.
“Fedha represents everyone,” he said.
Fedha’s first 13-second video generated a lot of reactions on social media, including from journalists.
The rapid rise of AI globally has raised the promise of benefits, such as in healthcare and the elimination of mundane tasks, but also fears, for example of the potential spread of disinformation, threats to certain jobs, and artistic integrity.
Kuwait ranks 158 out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index 2022.
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